Homeschooling parents have limited time, energy, and resources; therefore, we cannot do it all, and we certainly cannot have it all. As 2022 explodes upon the scene, here are some of the most important things parents—especially fathers—need to remember. Most of these represent areas in which I wished I would have done better:
1. We are raising children, not beautifully manicured lawns or HGTV houses. The huge golfing divots in the yard, the scalped spots in the mowed grass, secret “I Iove you” messages scrawled on the bathroom mirror that appear only with a foggy shower, and dishes left on the coffee table after a late-night talk with our young adult the night before all remind us of what really matters as parents.
2. Making memories is more important than making money or making impressions on others. We cannot let those things which matter most be at the mercy to those things which matter least.
3. Our children are all that we are leaving behind. While our bosses may appreciate our work, it will be our children that carry on our legacy. What kind of legacy will that be?
4. One generation’s trophies are the next generations junk. I love the deer heads and turkeys that I have mounted in my office, but one of these days they will be sold for pennies on the dollar if not thrown away in the dumpster. Does the time I spend with my children tell them that they are my dearest trophies?
5. Our children won’t remember how much time we spent with them but that we spent time with them. Fifteen quality minutes a day will do more for relationships in the home than an expensive week once a year in Florida with the mouse.
6. The goal is not to raise good children but godly parents. We must put in the necessary time to transfer our values to our children. “… wisdom is justified by her children” but our grandchildren will be the exclamation point on that reality.
7. Perfection is not the goal; teachability is. Look for that trait in your children and any young man who starts hanging around your young adult daughter.
8. Life is a process. We can’t expect our children to do Calculus until they have learned how to do addition. Don’t get frustrated with the slower pace of learning in the younger years. This will set the trajectory for them to be solution-minded instead of problem-minded as they age. If they are pushed too hard too soon, they will see life as the problem instead of realizing there is always a solution. Your children’s confidence level will conquer more mountains than speeding through the basics.
9. Point A: Smile often. Point B: When things get difficult and things break, refer to Point A.
10. We can’t do any of these things without the empowerment of grace from the Holy Spirit; therefore, we are going to pray more this year than ever before.
ICHE has promoted a monthly day of prayer and fasting for the homeschool community for the last eight years. Whether you fast a day, a meal, a hobby, or nothing at all, will you pray these things with us throughout the month of January? Include your children, telling them why each of these things is important for your home. What better way to prepare them to homeschool than by being aware of some of its challenges. If you are willing to be on the ICHE prayer group for these and other more discreet requests, please email Kirk at ksmith@iche.org.
This month we are praying the following:
1. Pray that Christian homeschooling parents will get their perspectives and expectations from the Word of God and not from the many false social constructs in 21st century culture.
- Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. –Proverbs 23:23 (NKJV)
- And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. –2 Kings 6:17 (NKJV)
2. Pray that God will turn both parents’ and children’s hearts toward the things of God and away from the things of the world. Pray that children’s hearts will be opened toward their parents in a fresh and enduring way this year.
- Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. –Col 3:2 (NKJV)
- For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. –Matt. 6:21 (NKJV)
3. Pray that God will give Christian parents a genuine burden to pray fervently for their children because talking can only go so far.
- The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. –Proverbs 21:1 (ESV)
- The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. —James 5:16 (NKJV)
4. Pray that God will make our homes joyful and peaceful.
- You shall know that your tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. –Job 5:24 (ESV)
- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. –Romans 15:13 (ESV)
5. Rather than pray for more time to do more things—God gives all of us the same amount of time—pray that we will discern those things which are most important and concentrate our efforts there. (This is an exceptionally important lesson to teach our young adults.)
- So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. –Psalms 90:12 (ESV)
- For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. –Ecc. 8:6 (ESV)
6. Pray for parents to have a fresh anointing of patience and strength in raising their children. For those with younger children, pray specifically for them to have the accompanying physical stamina needed to keep up with their little children. Pray for those with older children to have the accompanying emotional and intellectual stamina needed to help their older children transition into their adult years.
- As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. –Luke 8:15 (ESV)
- being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; –Col. 1:11
7. Pray for parents to be filled with faith, knowing God is Lord over every circumstance that comes their way in 2022.
- And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him –Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
- and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. –1 Timothy 1:14 (ESV)
8. Pray that every family finds a healthy pace of life and homeschooling life that will cultivate learning, motivation, peace, challenge, effectiveness, and ministerial opportunities in 2022.
- For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: –Ecc. 3:1 (ESV)
- work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, –Phil. 2:12 (ESV)
9. Pray that fractured or strained family relationships will find healing and restoration this year.
- Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. — Jer. 33:6 (ESV)
- I have heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the Lord my God. –Jer. 31:18
10. Pray for those that feel defeated in both homeschooling and life to receive a fresh impartation of hope and vision in 2022.
- So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. –Ez. 37:10
- and he is merciful to him, and says, Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom; let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor 26 then man[a] prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness.–Job 33:24-26
11. Pray that God will reveal His glory in 2022 in our lives and homes.
- And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” –Is. 40:5
- Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! –Psalms 115:1
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